1. Dafeng Hui Office: Harned Hall 320 Phone: 963-5777
4/17/2017
BIOL 4120: Principles of Ecology Lecture 4: Adaptation to Physical Environment: Climate, Water, and Soil
Dafeng Hui
Office: Harned Hall 320
Phone:

2. Topics:
4.1 Global patterns in temperature and precipitation are established by solar radiation
4.2 Ocean currents redistribute heat
4.3 Seasonal variation in climate
4.4 Changes in water density drive seasonal cycles in temperate lakes
4.5 Climate and weather undergo irregular and often unpredicted changes
4.6 Topographic features cause local variation in climate
4.7 Climate and soil

3. 4.1 Global patterns in temperature and precipitation are established by solar radiation
The amount of solar energy intercepted at any point on earth’s surface varies markedly with latitude.
Why? 1. high latitudes, radiation hits the surface at a steeper angle, spreading sunlight over a large area. 2. radiation travel through a deeper layer of air, reflect more back to atmosphere.
These is also a seasonal variation in the intercepted solar radiation. Why do we see seasonal changes in most of places?
Earth’s axis is tilted at an angle of 23.5oC. It is this tilt that is responsible for the seasonal variations in T and daylength.
While Earth orbits around the sun, earth rotates about an axis that passes through the north and south poles, create day and night cycles.
Earth travels about the sun in a plane called the ecliptic.
Earth’s axis of spin is not perpendicular to the ecliptic.
Solstice, vernal, autumnal
Equinox
Tropic of Cancer (latitude 23.5ºN), & Tropic of Capricorn (23.5ºS) defined by extreme latitudes at which sun is directly overhead annually--summer & winter solstice, respectively. This corresponds with 23.5º angle of tilt of Earth. Thus “solar equator” (region of maximum solar input) moves relative to latitude seasonally.

4. Tilt of the earth’s axis causes seasonal variation in climate
Autumnal Equinox
These is also a seasonal variation in the intercepted solar radiation. Why do we see seasonal changes in most of places?
Earth’s axis is tilted at an angle of 23.5oC. It is this tilt that is responsible for the seasonal variations in T and daylength.
While Earth orbits around the sun, earth rotates about an axis that passes through the north and south poles, create day and night cycles.
Earth travels about the sun in a plane called the ecliptic.
Earth’s axis of spin is not perpendicular to the ecliptic.
Summer and winter Solstices, vernal and autumnal Equinoxes
Vernal Equinox
Tropic of Capricorn of Cancer

5. The distribution of solar energy with respect to latitude
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The distribution of solar energy with respect to latitude
Compare a temperate region with a tropical region
Much greater variation in temperate region
Poles are not included but see high altitude
Isocline of ?

6. Winter and summer: isoclines of T
Dense means steep and large changes: large gradient in winter than in summer.
Why? Jan: sun light shines directly at 23.5 S (tropic of Capricorn)
July: N (tropic of Cancer)
North Hemsperer: winter, sun shines directly at the 23.5 S

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Energy input to atmosphere & Earth’s surface via solar radiation drives the annual T: maximal at equator, & declines to 40% of maximal values at high latitudes.

8. Temperature influences moisture content of air
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Temperature influences moisture content of air
Evaporation: liquid to vapor
Condensation: from water vapor to liquid
Vapor pressure: amount of pressure water vapor exerts independent of pressure of dry air.
Saturated vapor pressure: vapor pressure of air at saturation (Equilibrium VP).
Absolute humidity; amount of water in a given volume of air.
Relative humidity: RH
Water is closely related to energy changes, as water changes from one state to another, energy absorption or release is related. The amount of energy released or absorbed (per gram) during a change of state is known as LATENT HEAT.
Evaporation: transformation from a liquid state to gaseous state: require energy.
Condensation: transformation of water vapor to a liquid state, release energy.
…………
Rain: if air cools while the actual amount moisture it holds remains constant, then RH increase as the Saturated VP decrease. If the air cools to a point where actual pressure exceeds the saturated VP, moisture in the air condense and form clouds. As soon as particulars of water or ice in the air become too heavy to remain suspended, precipitation falls.
If not in the air (as in the morning of fall), we see Dew. (Dew point temperature).
Equilibrium water vapor?
Vapor pressure: 1 to 200 kPa?
In thermochemistry, latent heat is the heat released or absorbed by a body during a change of state without change of temperature.[1][2][3][4] The term most often refers to a phase transition such as the melting of ice or the boiling of water.[5][6] The term was introduced around 1750 by Joseph Black. It is derived from the Latin latere (to lie hidden). In its original context of calorimetry set by Black, besides phase changes, the term referred in particular to the heat transferred to a body upon change of volume at constant temperature without phase change.
In meteorology, latent heat flux is the flux of heat from the Earth's surface to the atmosphere that is associated with evaporation or transpiration of water at the surface and subsequent condensation of water vapor in the troposphere. It is an important component of Earth's surface energy budget. Latent heat flux has been commonly measured with the Bowen ratio technique, or more recently since the mid-1900s by the eddy covariance method.

9. 3.3 Air masses circulate globally
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3.3 Air masses circulate globally
The blanket of air surrounds the planet – atmosphere – is not static
It is in a constant state of movement, driven by the rising and sinking of air masses and the rotation of the Earth on its axis.
Precipitation is related to air masses circulation
Air temperature changes (global, seasonal, altitude), next precipitation (air movement influence)

10. 4/17/2017
The equatorial region receives the largest annual input of solar radiation,. Warm air rises because it is less dense than the cooler air above it.
(warm air rises: we can not see in the air, but can in the water)
George Hardley
The Coriolis Force causes winds moving north or south latitudinal to deflect to the right in the Northern Hemisphere, and deflect to the left in the Southern Hemisphere. This force causes the “trade winds” moving from higher latitudes towards ITCZ to come from northeast direction north of equator (northeast trade winds) and from southeast direction south of equator (southeast trades).
Trade wind: 17-th mechant sailors used them to reach the Americas from Europe (northeast in N. Hempsphere)

11. Three cells and trade wind belts
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Coriolis effect:
Deflection in the pattern of air flow.
Clockwise movement in N hemisphere, counterclockwise in S. Hemisphere.
Three cells and trade wind belts
These air movements create global precipitation pattern
The equatorial region receives the largest annual input of solar radiation,. Warm air rises because it is less dense than the cooler air above it.
(warm air rises: we can not see in the air, but can in the water)
George Hardley
The Coriolis Force causes winds moving north or south latitudinal to deflect to the right in the Northern Hemisphere, and deflect to the left in the Southern Hemisphere. This force causes the “trade winds” moving from higher latitudes towards ITCZ to come from northeast direction north of equator (northeast trade winds) and from southeast direction south of equator (southeast trades).
Trade wind: 17-th mechant sailors used them to reach the Americas from Europe (northeast in N. Hempsphere)

13. Major latitudinal displacements of surface air currents: convection currents drive Hadley cells, pulling air at surface into Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone, ITCZ); Ferrel Cells driven by low pressure zone at 20º-30º lat.; Midlatitude westerlies converge into jet stream; polar cells driven by high pressure (cold) flows out of polar region along Earth’s surface towards south.

14. Intertropical convergence and subtropical high-pressure belt (arid zone)
The region where surface currents of air from the northern and southern subtropics meet near the equator and begin to rise under the warming
Influence of the sun is referenced as Intertropical Concergence Zone
The descending mass of heavy air creates a high atmospheric pressure, and so these regions north and south of equator are known as the subtropical high –pressure belt.

15. 4/17/2017
4.4 Latitudinal shifting of the sun’s zenith causes seasonal variation in precipitation (e.g., Intertropical Convergence Zone shift)
Shifts of ITCZ produce rainy seasons and dry seasons in the tropics
Global pattern, how about temporal change?
ITCZ is the narrow region where the northeasterly trade winds meet the southeasterly trade winds near the equator, charactere
d by heavy precipitation.

16. Merida: 20oN, ITCZ, summer time; Bogota, near equator; ITCZ pass twice, two rainy seasons; Rio de Janeiro, 20oS, winter time ITCZ
Due to movement of ITCZ. (north and south, dry and wet)

17. Seasonal climate patterns differ among subtropical localities
A: Chihuahuan Desert (summer rainy season)
B. Sonoran Desert (rainfall in summer and winter, from Pacific Ocean)
C. Majave Desert (winter rain, summer dry: Mediterranean climate)
Chihuahuan: ITCZ influence
Sonoran: ITCZ and Pacific ocean: Mediterranean climate
Majave:

18. 4.5 Ocean currents redistribute heat
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Surface water movements in the ocean is dominated by the global pattern of the prevailing winds (and solar energy)
Current: systematic patterns of water movement
Gyre (j-I-e)
Ocean currents also affect climate, sometimes very dramatically (source of energy movement)
Each ocean is dominated by great circular water movement, or gyres. Gyres move clockwise in the N. Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the S. Hemisphere (Coriolis effect).
Warmer water moves away from equator and cold water moves towards equator. 18

19. Upwelling and biological productivity
An upward movement of ocean water is referred to as upwelling. Upwelling occurs wherever sureface currents diverge, as in the western Pacific Ocean.
Strong upwelling established on the western coasts of continents where surface currents move toward the equator and then veer from the continental margins. 19

20. Upwelling currents often support high biological productivity20

21. Thermohaline circulation
Two layers
Thin warm layer 18 oC
Deep cold layer 3 oC
Both surface and deep-water currents are driven by changes in the density of water caused by variations in temperature and salinity
Thermohaline circulation is responsible for the global movement of great masses of water between the major ocean basins.
Also called ocean conveyor belt
Some concerns of shut down of conveyor belt: effect would be devasting on European climate
Occurred before: the end of last glacial period, 12,800 years ago caused the Younger Dryas period--- cold weather– lasting about 1300 years ,
Therocline, limited the water transfer at the surface below, thus, limiting the abosroption ability. Long-term mixing takes hundreds of years meter, total depth 2000 m
Not mixed well.
Global conveyor belt takes hundred of years
Ocean Water Currents are Determined by Salinity and Temperature
Cold and High Saline Water Sinks and Warm Water Rises
Rising and Sinking of Water Generates Ocean Currents
Ocean Currents Have Huge Impacts on Temperature & Rainfall on Land
This process occurs over hundreds of years

22. 4.6 Temperature-induced changes in water density drive seasonal cycles in temperate lakes
How about temperature change at small scale
Spring overturn
Fall overturn (turnover?)

23. Turnover of water and nutrient during spring and fall
Figure 21.18
Turnover of water and nutrient link two zones together
Epilimnion
Hypolimnion
Both turnover and overturn are used.
Turnover of water and nutrient during spring and fall

24. 4/17/2017
4.7 Climate and weather undergo irregular and often unpredictable changes
Irregular variations (Little Ice Age: cooling between mid-14 to mid-19th century)
(El Nino and La Nina)
El Nino: an abnormal warming of surface ocean waters in the eastern tropical Pacific.
El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO): An oscillation in the surface pressure between the southeastern tropic Pacific and the Australian-Indonesian regions.
Occur near equator area

25. 4/17/2017
Peru
Indonesia
ENSO: water of the eastern Pacific are abnormally warm (El Nino), sea level pressure drops in the eastern Pacific and rises in the west. The reduction of pressure gradient is accompanied by a weakening of the low-latitude easterly trades.
Christmas time, chris boy (el nino)
Normal conditions, strong trade winds move surface water westward. As the surface currents move westward, the water warms. The warmer water of the western Pacific causes the moist maritime air to rise and cool, bringing abundant rainfall to the region;

26. 4/17/2017
Peru
Indonesia
ENSO: water of the eastern Pacific are abnormally warm (El Nino), sea level pressure drops in the eastern Pacific and rises in the west. The reduction of pressure gradient is accompanied by a weakening of the low-latitude easterly trades.
ENSO: Trade winds slacken, reducing the westward flow of the surface currents. Rainfall follows the warm water eastward, with associated flooding in Peru and drought in Indonesia and Australia.

27. 4/17/2017
La Nina: injection of cold water becomes more intense than usual, causing the surface of eastern Pacific to cool. Results in droughts in South America and heavy rainfall in Australia.

29. Values below 0 are El Nino years

30. Zimbabwe
Area affected by ENSO in one typical El Nino year in Zimbabwe (Dry and warm)

31. 4.8 Topography influences regional and local patterns of precipitation
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4.8 Topography influences regional and local patterns of precipitation
Rain shadow:
More moisture on windward sides of mountains than leeward (e.g., desert areas on southeast side of Caribbean Mts., on eastern side Cascades, Rockies)
Mountainous topography influences local and regional precipitation patterns
A rain shadow forms on the leeward side of a mountain (or mountain range) due to the loss of moisture from air as it travels up and over the mountains from the windward side

32. 4/17/2017
Maui, Hawaiian Islands.
Same for the Hawaiian Islands.

33. 10 oN
Many trees in the rain shadow on the Pacific slope of Panama shed their leaves during the dry season
South hemsphere, wind is southeast wind, blows to north west.

34. 4/17/2017
4.8 Microclimates
Microclimates defines the local, small scale conditions in which organisms live.
These conditions include: topography (aspect=direction a slope face, surface or underground, beneath vegetation or not), light, temperature, air conditions or wind movement, moisture etc.
Vegetation also moderate microclimates.

35. Most organisms exist in a microclimate that is optimal
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Most organisms exist in a microclimate that is optimal
Scale of climate in hundreds of kilometers
Scale of microclimate can vary from meters to kilometers to tens of kilometers
San Gabriel Mountains, near Los Angeles, CA.
North facing slope( left): pine-oak forest
South facing slope (right): drought-resistant chaparral vegetation.
Riparian: in arid regions, stream bottomlands and seasonally dry riverbeds may support well-developed riparian forests (quite different from surrounding desert).
Mesic: wet
Xeric: dry

36. Life zones along mountain slope due to adiabatic cooling (6oC/1km)
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Life zones along mountain slope due to adiabatic cooling (6oC/1km)
Life zone: C. Hart Merriam
Changes in plant communities with the elevation result in more or less distinct belts of vegetation: life zones
Adiabatic cooling: Decrease in T caused by the expansion of air in the lower air pressure at high altitude
6oC lower every 1000 m rise in elevation, similar to 800 km increase in latitude
As a result, in some place, at lower latitude, could be warm and dry, but as latitude increase, it becomes cool and wetter
Vegetation changes with increasing elevation in the mountains of Arizona
Saguaro catus->Agave and grasses  Oaks and grasses ponderosa pine spurce and fir  bushes, willows, herbs and lichens (above tree lines)

37. Dafeng Hui Office: Harned Hall 320 Phone: 963-5777
4/17/2017
BIOL 4120: Principles of Ecology Lecture 4: Adaptation to Physical Environment: Climate, Water, and Soil
Dafeng Hui
Office: Harned Hall 320
Phone:

38. Recap:
Ocean currents redistribute heat
Water cycling in temperate lakes
Irregular and often unpredicted changes
Local climate and microclimate
Climate and soil

39. 4.9 Climate and the underlying bedrock interact to diversify soils
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4.9 Climate and the underlying bedrock interact to diversify soils
Soil profile
Layers or horizons
Layer C weathered parent materials
E horizon in forests, not in grassland (between A and B)
R: bottom, rock

42. 4.10 Basic Soil Formation Processes Produce Different Soils
Regional differences in geology, climate, and vegetation give rise to characteristically different soils
Weathering is a process that soils are formed
Five factors influencing weathering process: climate, parent material, vegetation, local topography, and age
The broadest level of soil classification is soil order

43. There are twelve orders of soil
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There are twelve orders of soil
Entisol
Mollisol
Alfisol
Andisol
Aridisol
Inceptisol
Histosol
Oxisol
Vertisol
Spodosol
Ultisol
Gelisol

44. Figure 4.12
Kalolinite: clay mineral

45. Figure 4.13

46. Ultisol (Laterization)
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Ultisol (Laterization)
Ultisol
Warm climate soil
Redish or yellowish
Low nutrient content
Laterization: when PPT greatly exceeds ET in warm climates, water rapidly percolated through soil and into groundwater. Soluble soil nutrients are constantly leached out of soils, leaving behind the less soluble ions (Al+++ and Fe++) which give soil color (whitish for Al and red for Fe) and H+ make soil acidic and nutrient poor.
pronounce altisol

47. Highly oxidized and deeply weathered soils in West Tennessee.

48. Figure 4.13

49. Aridisol (Salinization)
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Aridisol (Salinization)
Salinization: in very dry climates and when loss of soil moisture due to ET exceeds PPT, water leaves the soil through the surface. The minerals (NaCl) dissolved move upward from the groundwater and result in a salt crust on the surface of the soil.
Irrigation of dryland can result salinization. This becomes a problem in US southwest, Australia, Northern Africa, China, and major areas of dryland irrigation.
e’ridisol
Sodium chloride

50. Spodosols (Podsolization)
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Spodosols (Podsolization)
Spodosols
Cool moist regions
Acid, shallow leaching horizon
Deep layer of deposition, lower soil fertility
Podsolization: In acidic soils in cool moist regions of the temperate zone, clay particles break down in the E horizon and their soluble irons are transported downward and deposited in the lower B horizon, reduce the fertility of the upper layer of the soil.
pronounce altisol

51. Not all soils are poor in fertility
Mollisols soil in middle US.
Very productivity

52. The End